President Trump, Ambassador Haley: Withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council

The United States of America should withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council.

A Good Report

Reuters reported on June 14th that the Trump administration was considering withdrawing from the council. The human rights body meets on Monday in Geneva. Although the report is unconfirmed, such a move would be clearly consistent with the administration’s and Ambassador Nikki Haley’s actions at the UN. Last year, Haley warned the UNHRC that the U.S. might withdraw if anti-Israel bias were to continue unabated.

This is sensible. After all, the council is, and has always been, a farce.

A Historical Farce

In the 12-year history of the council, it has constantly attacked Israel. The UNHRC replaced the UN Commission on Human Rights because the older institution had become blatantly anti-Israel in focus. Ironically, the UNHRC soon followed suit. Resolution after resolution has been levied against Israel. As Joseph Muravchik notes in his fact-filled Making David into Goliath: How the World Turned against Israel, the council has constantly bashed Israel and America for its support of Israel. This includes its appointment of Special Rapporteurs like Jean Ziegler, winner, along with anti-Semite Roger Garaudy, of the Muammar Al-Qaddafi International Prize for Human Rights. In the same vein, the UNHRC actually had Qaddafi’s Libya chair a preparatory committee for one of its conferences.

A Current Farce

Although Libya was eventually kicked off the council, the council’s farce is ongoing. Current members include China, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. It seems a waste of time to detail the hypocrisy of a council that has these members while consistently targeting Israel as the worst human rights abuser in the world. No one in their right mind could possibly argue that these nations have any moral authority to lecture Israel on human rights. Because this is the current reality, the U.S. should withdraw.

Withdrawal is Just

Institutions like the council are a good thing. America should continue to lead on the world stage, fighting for human rights. International leadership in this forum is necessary and just. However, the U.S. does more harm than good by legitimizing the current UN Human Rights Council. By withdrawing, our country can send a strong message to the world. These countries are not exemplars of human rights defenders. What the U.S. does, matters. Ambassador Haley and President Trump should take this step. It will be a step closer to justice and human flourishing in the world. Let us invest in a future of freedom and flourishing, not farces and hypocrisy.